Background: Hydrolysed rice formula (HRF) is tolerated by >90% of children with cow’s milk protein allergy (CMPA). However, concerns have been raised about potential suboptimal growth in infants fed HRF compared to those fed an extensively hydrolysed milk protein formula (eHF). Aims: To compare growth, safety and tolerance acquisition in infants with CMPA when fed HRF versus eHF. Methods: A multicentre prospective, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenge trial was conducted with infants with CMPA. The infants received either HRF or eHF over a 12-month follow-up period. The primary outcome measure was the change from baseline over the study period in weight-for-length expressed as a Z-score. The secondary outcomes were other anthropometric measurements, tolerability and adverse events (AEs). Results: In total, 105 children were enrolled. The weight-for-length measurements were −0.01 (HRF) and −0.29 (eHF) at baseline and 0.29 and 0.05, respectively, at the last visit, with no significant between-group difference (p = 0.28; mixed-effects model). The Z-scores for other anthropometric variables indicated normal growth, with no significant between-group differences. In total, 29 potentially product-related AEs were reported (12 in the HRF group and 17 in the eHF group). A trend was observed toward a faster acquisition of tolerance in the HRF group (median age: 20.4 months) compared to the eHF group (16.3 months), but this was not statistically significant (p = 0.18). Conclusions: HRF demonstrated appropriate growth, acquisition of tolerance and a good safety profile in infants with CMPA, with no significant differences versus eHF. HRF could be considered as an appropriate option in the management of CMPA.

The second leading cause of death in children under five years old is diarrheal disease. Probiotics, specifically bifidobacteria, have been associated with a reduction in the number of diarrhea episodes and their severity in babies. In this paper, we summarize the preclinical and clinical evidence of the efficacy of B. longum subsp. infantis IM1^® against various gastrointestinal pathogens using in vitro models, animal models, and clinical studies carried out in our laboratory. The preclinical data demonstrate that IM1^® effectively inhibits rotavirus replication (by up to 36.05%) in MA-104 and HT-29 cells and from infection (up to 48.50%) through the production of an 11-amino-acid peptide. IM1^® displays the capability to displace pathogens from enterocytes, particularly Cronobacter sakazakii and Salmonella enterica, and to reduce the adhesion to the HT29 cells of C. sakazakii and Shigella sonnei. In animal models, the IM1^® strain exhibits in vivo protection against rotavirus and improves the clinical symptomatology of bacterial gastroenteritis. A clinical study involving infants under 3 months of age revealed that IM1^® reduced episodes of diarrhea, proving to be safe, well tolerated, and associated with a lower prevalence of constipation. B. infantis IM1^® emerges as an effective probiotic, diminishing episodes of diarrhea caused by gastrointestinal pathogens.

A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted among 245 experienced Spanish paediatricians, who completed an online survey based on clinically relevant topics in nutrition during the first two years of life and their recommendations to parents in daily clinical practice. Most participants advise about the choking risk associated with baby-led weaning (BLW) and more than 60% consider that infants can receive an insufficient variety and quantity of nutrients with this practice. The general opinion is that there is a lack of evidence for delaying the introduction of gluten and other allergenic foods in the complementary feeding of healthy infants. Most participants agree/strongly agree that two servings of dairy products are the adequate daily amount in a diversified diet and 93.4% disagree/strongly disagree with the use of vegetal beverages under 1 year of life. There is a general agreement to avoid added salt and sugar before 12 months of life, the consideration that organic foods do not have a better nutritional profile than non-organic ones, and the limitations of vegetarian diets especially for adequate provision of micronutrients. Overall, there is an adequate knowledge of the new trends by paediatricians and younger ones seemed more in favor of them and interested in receiving more information on most topics.

Aims: To compare the growth, safety, and tolerance acquisition in infants with cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA) when fed a hydrolyzed rice formula (HRF) versus an extensively hydrolyzed milk protein formula (EHF). Methods: A prospective, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, controlled trial was conducted with infants diagnosed with CMPA, both IgE-mediated and non-IgE-mediated (up to grade II anaphylaxis). Infants were assigned to receive either a HRF or an EHF over a 12-month follow-up period. The primary outcomes assessed were anthropometric measurements and safety. Infants who had a negative Open Oral Food Challenge (at 6, 9, and 12 months) were allowed to transition to a standard milk formula. Compliance, tolerability, and adverse events (AEs) were also evaluated. Results: A total of 105 children from six centers were enrolled in the study. Measurements of weight, length, weight-for-length, BMI, and head circumference z-scores indicated normal growth, with no significant differences between the HRF and EHF groups at baseline or during follow-up visits. Additionally, triceps skinfold thickness, mid-arm circumference, and arm muscle area showed no significant differences between the groups. Overall, 29 product-related adverse events were reported (12 in the HRF group and 17 in the EHF group). Five children in the HRF group and eleven in the EHF group experienced serious adverse events; none were attributed to the intervention. There was a trend toward faster acquisition of tolerance in HRF-fed infants compared to EHF-fed infants, but this did not reach statistical significance (median age 20.4 months versus 16.3 months, respectively, p=0.1753). Conclusions: Both EHF and HRF demonstrated appropriate growth, acquisition of tolerance, and a good safety profile in infants with CMPA, with no significant differences between the formulas.

Background: Noninfectious inflammatory dermatoses of the scalp are common, and their symptomsin particular, those affecting appearance, can have a psychological effect that may be disproportionate to their clinical severity. Effective, cosmetically acceptable treatments are important to manage these conditions. Topical corticosteroids form the cornerstone of acute treatment for many of these conditions. We surveyed practicing dermatologists and dermatology residents to determine the current clinical practice in prescribing topical corticosteroids for these disorders in their various preparation formats. Methods: A Delphi method was used, consisting of 2 questionnaire rounds. The first round contained 34 questions and was completed by 612 dermatologists and dermatology residents via email. The first round of responses was analyzed, and points that had > 70% agreement were used to form a second questionnaire of 21 statements. This second round was completed by 346 participants, and their responses were used to generate a final report. Participants were practicing in both public and private practices. Results: Clobetasol propionate 0.05% topical solution was considered to be the most appropriate treatment for noninfectious inflammatory scalp dermatoses in general, with 75.1% agreement in the second round of questionnaire. The main advantages of clobetasol propionate over other topical corticosteroids were reported as potency, effectiveness, and broad action spectrum (94.8% agreement). The preferred pharmaceutical format was the solution of clobetasol propionate. Conclusion: Clobetasol propionate was the preferred topical treatment for the management of scalp dermatoses, usually as first-line treatment; solution was the preferred preparation.